During a club camping activity, my boyfriend Benjamin and his childhood friend moved into the same tent. Early in the morning, I saw the two of them crawl out of the narrow single tent and I immediately broke up with him.

Benjamin explained perfunctorily, "Wendy's tent was leaking and besides, she's grown up with me. What's there to mind? She's like a sister to me. Shouldn't I take care of her?"

The next night, Benjamin's good friend, Alex, he had a golden retriever dog and it chewed a big hole in my tent. Alex patted the golden retriever on the head and said to me, "My tent is big. How about the three of us stay together tonight?"

I also patted the golden retriever on the head and nodded. That night, Benjamin stood outside Alex's tent all night. As soon as I crawled out of my tent, the flap of the tent opposite me was also lifted.

Benjamin and Wendy walked out one after the other. When Benjamin saw me, a trace of embarrassment flashed across his face. He quickly returned to his usual demeanor and smiled at me, saying, "You lazybones, why are you up so early today? I was just about to wake you up!" He said, taking a step forward and reaching out to touch my head.

I withdrew expressionlessly. Several classmates from the club, sensing the tension, stood by silently. Wendy, with a look of grievance, stood behind Benjamin. "Jessica, please don't misunderstand. Benjamin just saw that my tent was broken, so he …."

I ignored Wendy and turned to look at Benjamin. He sighed, looking helpless. "Jessica, you know the relationship between me and Wendy. It's not like you don't know. It's a rare opportunity for everyone to come out and play together. Don't be so temperamental," he added.

I snorted coldly. "You're sleeping with someone else and I'm not supposed to be upset? That's abnormal!"

"Jessica!" Benjamin's voice suddenly rose, then he spoke slowly, as if he was a little tired, "Wendy's tent is leaking and besides, she's grown up with me, like a sister. I should take care of her. What's there to mind?"

I dug my nails into my palm, feeling a sharp pain emanating from deep within. "Benjamin, tell me the truth. Did you really not do anything last night?" I asked, my gaze shifting from Benjamin's face to his collarbone.

Two distinct red marks stung my eyes. I was still hoping for his explanation. Maybe it was just my overthinking. There are so many mosquitoes at night here, perhaps it's just ... However, Benjamin uncomfortably covered his collar. At that moment, my suspended heart finally died.

"Jessica, Wendy is like a sister to me. If you had siblings, I wouldn't interfere as much. Isn't it natural for a brother to take care of his sister?" Seeing my eyes reddening, Benjamin didn't come over to comfort me as usual. Instead, his tone became increasingly impatient.

Wendy bit her lip and tugged at Benjamin's sleeve, looking distressed. Benjamin's expression softened and he gently patted Wendy's hand. For a moment, I felt like I was the one who had intruded into someone else's relationship.

"Benjamin, let's break up," I said.

Benjamin thought I was just being jealous and temperamental as usual. "Jessica, don't be silly," he said.

The morning breeze was chilly, making me shiver slightly. I adjusted my coat and said calmly, "I'm serious. Let's break up, Benjamin. I won't object if you want to sleep with any of your "sisters" in the future."

"Jessica, what do you mean by that? We only see Benjamin as a big brother. Don't spread rumors!" Wendy's best friend, Tamara, who usually got along well with all the guys, spoke up. The other guys around couldn't help but interject.

When several boys around saw Tamara speaking, they couldn't help but interrupt, "Jessica, we rarely get to hang out like this. Don't ruin the fun! Wendy also doesn't want her tent to be ruined, right?"

I felt really annoyed. Turning my head, I casually said, "Alright, alright, you're all right! But don't hangout with me anymore. Benjamin and I have broken up." After saying that, I retreated back into my tent.

When I came out again, all the classmates who had come camping together were gone. Instead of joining the others, I went straight to a nearby teahouse. I turned off my phone and spent the day drinking tea and enjoying the scenery.

When I returned to the campsite, it was already dark. Suddenly, I felt a presence approaching from behind.

"You've been absent all day, making Wendy feel embarrassed. Do you realize that?" Benjamin grabbed my wrist, his tone unfriendly.

I pushed him away and reflexively kicked him. Benjamin winced in pain, letting out a loud cry that attracted the classmates from nearby tents.

Wendy also emerged from Benjamin's tent. "Jessica, you're back! We didn't see you all day. Both Benjamin and I were worried about you!" Wendy said with concern.

I looked disdainful and took two steps back, looking like I was facing a plague.

Tamara, being insolent, mocked, "Wendy, don't be too eager. Jessica is very noble, she wouldn't bother playing with ordinary girls like us!"

Before I could respond, a cold laugh came from outside the crowd. "By "ordinary girls," are you referring to those who sneak into other people's boyfriends' tents at midnight, or those who treat every man as a sibling?"

Everyone turned to see Alex standing with his arms crossed, giving Tamara a cold stare. Alex was two years older than us and usually carried an aloof and mysterious aura around him, therefore, most people in the society were afraid to get close to Alex. For a moment, everyone fell silent.

"Alex, don't be too harsh on the girls," Benjamin finally said.

Benjamin was quite popular at campus and his relationship with Alex seems to be good too. As he spoke, he walked up and put his hand on Alex's shoulder.

Alex's gaze shifted from Wendy, who was standing in front of Benjamin's tent, to Benjamin's face.

"You guys bought fishing rods at the shop on the west side of Lake George during the day. How come you didn't remember to buy a bigger tent? You still have to squeeze into that single tent today, Benjamin. You're not very considerate of girls, huh?" Alex asked.

I looked at Alex in astonishment. Even I could detect the sarcasm in his words.

Benjamin's expression stiffened for a moment, then he awkwardly laughed, "Today, Wendy and Tamara shared a tent. Last night was just an emergency."

Alex didn't respond, his gaze seemingly drawn away by something in the distance. Curiously, I followed his gaze and saw a big golden retriever wagging its tail. It seemed like he still had something in his mouth.

Benjamin moved in front of me and I redirected my gaze towards him. "Jessica, give me your phone," Benjamin said, reaching out his hand.

"What for?" I frowned.

"To take your dear boyfriend, me, off your blacklist!" Benjamin said with a teasing tone.

"We broke up, so there's no need to stay in touch," I replied, taking a few steps back and continuing to look in the direction where the golden retriever had disappeared. I felt a pang of loneliness. Dogs are much lovelier than men.

"Jessica, are you still mad? I've already told you that Wendy is just like a sister to me. Besides, she's not staying in my tent today. What more do you want?" Benjamin wore a smug expression, as if my anger amused him.

He knew my anger never lasted more than half a day. As long as he gave me an out, I would quickly calm down. But this time, I really didn't want to torture myself anymore.

"She can stay or not stay in your tent, it's none of my business. Stop bothering me, go away," I waved my hand, showing my disdain.

"Haven't I already said she's just like my sister? Are you done yet?" Benjamin retorted.

"If you and your brother were sharing a tent today, I definitely wouldn't mind!" Benjamin dared to speak so boldly because he knew I didn't have any close male friends.

Just as he finished speaking, there were a few low gasps from the surrounding area.

I felt something itching at my ankle. When I looked down, it was the same big golden retriever. I crouched down and hugged the fluffy creature.

It was quite friendly and immediately spat out the fabric scraps from its mouth, then leaned towards me as if offering a facial spa. I pushed away its enthusiastic dog mouth and caught sight of the torn fabric on the ground. The pattern and color seemed familiar ....

"You chewed my tent!" I hastily stood up and ran back to my tent. Great, two big holes and it's the kind with ventilation on both sides. It's too late to buy the new one, the tent shop was closed. I crouched on the ground and began searching for nearby hotels.

"Jessica, why don't you sleep in the same tent with me tonight?" Benjamin's expression was caring, but there was a hint of smugness in it for some reason.

"Jessica, did you bring this dog here to assist you?" A guy laughed slyly, as if he thought he knew all the tricks of women.

"Don't bother searching for hotel. During holidays like this, hotels near the scenic area are definitely fully booked," Benjamin said, reaching for my phone. But he was tripped by the sudden appearance of the big golden retriever and almost fell.

"Carl," Alex suddenly called out. The golden retriever, as if understanding, bit my sleeve and pulled me towards Alex.

I walked over to Alex in a daze, looking at him in surprise. "Wait, this is Carl, your dog ... How did you bring Carl out?"

"No, Carl has grown so big now, I didn't even recognize him," Alex said. He usually had a distant and cold demeanor, but now he had a smile on his lips, his expression so gentle that everyone present felt unfamiliar.

As he stroked Carl's head, Alex said softly, "He wanted to see you, so he came."

I nodded calmly, but inside, a small wave of excitement surged up. I immediately bent down and hugged Carl tightly, giving him a few pats.

"You two know each other?" Benjamin finally noticed something was off.

"Jessica is my little sister. We grew up together," Alex said calmly, looking at Benjamin.

"Don't joke around ..." Benjamin forced a smile towards Alex, then turned to look at me. "How could you and Alex be childhood friends? You two don't seem familiar at all!"

I stood up, speaking coldly, "Not familiar? Ha, I only know that when you're in a relationship, you should know how to keep your distance from other opposite-sex friends. But now, it seems there's no need for that anymore."

Benjamin's face turned ugly. "What do you mean? Jessica, I haven't agreed to break up! Don't be so stubborn. You're ruining the mood for everyone," Benjamin said, trying to pull me towards him again.

But Carl rushed to stand in front of me, snarling at Benjamin.

I shrugged at Benjamin, acting indifferent. "I don't care if you agree or not. We're done now. Stop bothering me. There are so many classmates watching." I looked at him disdainfully and added sarcastically, "You're not embarrassed, huh?"

I held Carl's leash and smiled at Alex. "Can I borrow Carl for a bit? My tent is leaking, so sleeping with him should be warm."

Alex shook his head and I hesitated. Since entering university, I had been dating Benjamin. Although I occasionally met Alex during club activities, we hardly talked anymore. Our relationship was probably not what it used to be. Asking him to borrow his dog might be overstepping boundaries.

"Sorry, it was my …" I apologized.

"My tent is spacious. How about the three of us sleep together tonight?" Alex interrupted, bending down to pat Carl's head before looking at me.

I was left speechless, swallowing back the apology that was on the tip of my tongue, trying to digest what he had just said.

"What did you say, Alex?" Benjamin and a few classmates around us were even more surprised than I was, thinking they had misheard.

Alex ignored their reactions, grabbing my hand and leading me towards his tent. "You and Carl go in first and rest. I'll help you move your things from your tent."

By the time I came back to my senses, Carl and I were already sitting in Alex's tent, staring at each other in bewilderment.

"Alex, this isn't right. What's the deal with you letting Jessica stay in your tent?" Benjamin questioned, his tone incredulous.

"Brothers taking care of sisters, isn't that natural?" Alex replied casually, but his words hit Benjamin's heart deeply.

"You two are just childhood friends, not siblings," Benjamin retorted, to which Alex chuckled.

"Yeah, not siblings. That's great," Alex said with a smile.

"You!" Then came Benjamin's muttered curse.

Carl and I, one human and one dog, huddled at the edge of the tent, listening intently. However, I didn't quite understand the meaning behind Alex's last words, nor did I catch what Benjamin said at the end. His tone, however, sounded very angry.

I felt grateful to Alex for making my ex-boyfriend so upset. Anyway, I was feeling relieved now. I lay down comfortably, closed my eyes and soon drifted off to sleep.

In a daze, I felt the warmth of another presence beside me. I thought it was Carl, so I reached out with my eyes still closed. When I felt something, I hugged it with both arms and drifted off to sleep happily.

In my dream, it seemed like someone was pacing back and forth around me. But it was pitch black all around and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't see where the footsteps were coming from. The footsteps came and went, their rhythm haunting.

Suddenly, it felt like the owner of those footsteps had stopped behind me, filling me with utter fear. Just as I felt their touch, I jolted awake. Panicked, I buried my head into the warmth in front of me, gasping for breath.

A large hand gently patted my back. Alex's voice was incredibly gentle and comforting, "Jessica, Jessica, I'm here, don't be afraid." Under his soothing words, I gradually emerged from the nightmare, realizing the ambiguous position between Alex and me.

His broad shoulders and slender waist almost enveloped me entirely. I was somewhat relieved that it was pitch black around us, hiding my flushed cheeks from his view.

I tried to push away from his chest to escape, but Alex tightened his arm around me, pulling us closer again. Suddenly, my lips felt warm and I found myself kissing Alex's neck. Quickly, I tried to pull away.

"Don't retreat, there's someone behind your tent," Alex's warm breath brushed against my ear.

The fear from my nightmare washed over me once again. Clutching Alex's shirt tightly, I buried my face in his neck, whimpering, "Why did the ghost from my dream come to life? Alex, can you ward off ghosts?"

Alex remained silent, his breath noticeably heavier.